Historical Background

In Lovecraftian horror literature, Ahtu is a demonic entity which is an avatar of Nyarlathotep. Ahtu appeared as a giant mound of a viscous material, with several golden tentacles. Some versions describe it as a "golden tree". Ahtu was worshiped in a cult in the Congo comprised of deformed or mutilated people. Ahtu appeared in Than Curse the Darkness by David Drake (1980).